This is the true story of a girl who lives in a small village in France during World War II. Her mother is taken by the Nazi's and she is sent to AuscThis is the true story of a girl who lives in a small village in France during World War II. Her mother is taken by the Nazi's and she is sent to Auschwitz. The young girl is then taken away by a family friend and her aunt to live with a series of hosts who keep her safe and secret.
The author writes this story many decades later but writes it from the view of the child she was during this horrific time. The story is originally written in French, so the English translation becomes a little difficult to read from time to time. The story itself is very well written as it describes the lingering beauty during a war-torn country through the eyes of a child.
The recollections of her mother's tale during the same point of time are done very well. The story teller does not claim these events as her own experiences, rather she relays the horrors experienced through her mother's point-of-view. The author describes how her mother struggled to talk about such things and over decades eventually her mother would share some of her experiences during the Nazi occupation of France and her time in Auschwitz.
I thank the author for capturing this real-live account in the form of a very well balanced story (the small joys that can be found in terrible times versus the mass genocide committed by the Nazis)....more
Catching Fire is the second installment of the Hunger Games series. It starts off with the Hunger Games victory tour where the victor(s) travel to eacCatching Fire is the second installment of the Hunger Games series. It starts off with the Hunger Games victory tour where the victor(s) travel to each district, finishing in the Capitol. This, of course, is only the beginning of the story and adds to the suspense of what is going to happen next.
The year celebrates the 75th annual hunger games, which is also a quarter quell; a special hunger games event that takes place every 25 years. The introduction of the quarter quell in this book marks the start of an incredibly suspenseful storyline. We are introduced to some amazing new characters who are thoroughly explored. Within the story, there are multiple plot lines that converge into an explosive revelation.
As usual, Suzanee Collins' writing is wonderfully descriptive, depicting a word that draws you and permits you to picture it with such detail. The writing is clear and does not leave you wondering if you are picturing things accurately or not....more
Mockingjay is the perfect end to the thrilling Hunger Games trilogy. The writing is very well done and places you right in the middle of all the actioMockingjay is the perfect end to the thrilling Hunger Games trilogy. The writing is very well done and places you right in the middle of all the action, drama, suspense, and love. Suzanne Collins has created such an intense world in the first two books of the series, and continues in the third and final book of the series. Every detail is described to perfection and the imagery built in my mind is so true to the words used; I have no doubts if I am picturing things correctly or not. The story progresses quite dramatically and can be effectively broken out into two distinctive parts.
The first part taking place in District 13 where we see how the district is a self-sufficient community reliant upon no one but themselves. I also got a sense of foreboding within the district, that everything is not how it seems. There are strong biases there against anyone from the Capital. This attitude amongst the residence creates some doubt about the purity of the sanctuary of District 13.
The second part takes us back to the Capitol, but it has changed dramatically since our visit in the first installment of the series. Upon our first visit, the Capitol was a bright, shiny place where the people residing there have little cares in the world. The Capitol, when visited in the third book, seems to be the complete opposite. The entire place has the sense of a war-zone and the people no longer crowd the streets in a care-free manner.
The character development is spot on and continues to grow our understanding and appreciation, or distaste, for each character in the book. While reading the book, I felt that I grew with the characters and I was with them feeling and experiencing the same things they were. I laughed, I cried, I was fearful, I was angry, I was happy, and I was peaceful. Very few books can accomplish such a convincing roller coaster of emotional projection, but Mockingjay hit the nail on the head....more
Full disclosure: The author presented me with a free copy of this book for an honest review.
I have always enjoyed stories of a time long since past, Full disclosure: The author presented me with a free copy of this book for an honest review.
I have always enjoyed stories of a time long since past, and this book certainly has a story that captivates. The story is set many hundreds of years ago in the highlands during a time when local Lairds ruled the regions under the king. The reader is introduced to a fair, young, nobel lady from the lowlands named Katharine, who lives under her uncle's heartless rule. Since her father passed away, her power hungry uncle swooped in and claimed her region and rules with little care or concern for the people. Katharine's uncle was pleased to marry off his niece and give her new husband a very large dowry. Part of the arrangement was Katharine had to renounce her claim to rule her native-born lands.
Katharine's new husband is a total and complete stranger from the highlands named Naill. He is large as a giant, very intimidating, and is the Laird of Duncarra. Naill brings Katharine back to his keep at the heart of the village. She sees why he was so eager to marry a stranger, the very large dowry was the lifeline his land needed to survive. As the story progresses, the reader grows very attached to the characters and the growing love between the newly married couple. Naill is a flawed man who has been spurned by love in the past and desperately wants to shield his heart from Katherine.
Katharine's good nature and compassion for his people is so endearing. Katherine is also a healer as well as a lady and I enjoyed reading about the various concoctions used to help treat the sick and injured people of Duncarra. Some of the treatments are used today (dandelion root for example). Things are finally going so well for Katharine and she is very happy to have a new home with people she can love and be loved in return. Things seem short lived, though, and Naill's terrible step mother comes into the picture and stakes her claim as the Lady of Duncarra. the wretched woman is no better than the abusive uncle Katharine left behind.
When things are turned upside down and threats are ever present to the land of Duncarra, to Naill, and to Katharine, the reader is left with nothing to do but keep turning the pages. I was surprised at every turn with the plot development and I was always trying to figure out who is behind all of the deceit. I fear that I can say no more for risk of spoiling the incredible story.
The author has done a fantastic job of creating such an intricate story with largely dynamic characters. I am looking forward to reading the inspirational versions (where the romance scenes fade to black) of the next stories in the series!...more
A Little Broken is a heartfelt story. I cried, laughed, cried again, it was an emotional roller coaster; an emotional cleanser. As the story progresseA Little Broken is a heartfelt story. I cried, laughed, cried again, it was an emotional roller coaster; an emotional cleanser. As the story progressed, your emotional attachment to the characters continued to grow. The underlying message of Hope has so many levels and makes you think of a better, brighter tomorrow.
Well done Juli Valenti for writing such an emotional, yet uplifting book....more
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